Fibroscopic examination on ENT patients in COVID-19 era

Abstract

Patients benefit from the use of telescopes and flexible fiber optics when are examined by the ENT specialist. It is not mandatory in all situations but in most cases, some form of optical endoscopic examination of the nasal cavities, pharynx or larynx is needed. There is some reluctance to use this kind of method in patients in COVID 19 era since this is a maneuver that can generate aerosols and thus increase the chance of transmitting SARS-Cov-2 virus. There are several precautions that can be considered and we offer an insight on how fibroscopic examination can be performed with smaller risk for the physician. The question that we address is whether it is safe or not to perform this procedure and in what conditions.